Bucs' Chris Godwin expected to miss remainder of regular season

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin expected to miss remainder of regular season

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Matt Johnson | Last updated 12/20/21

After exiting "Sunday Night Football" with a knee injury, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now preparing for star wide receiver Chris Godwin to miss the remainder of the regular season.

The Pro Bowl receiver caught a pass over the middle early in Sunday’s game and turned upfield to extend the play. But with his right leg planted, he took a direct shot to his knee and suffered a hyperextension. After attempting to jog on the sideline, the Buccaneers ruled him out later in the second quarter.

#ChrisGodwin @Buccaneers right knee hyperextension with MCL component. Taped and trying but hard to plant/cut. Heroically trying to return but uphill climb to be effective. pic.twitter.com/6YcK6yJ35y
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 20, 2021

Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, Godwin is headed for an extended absence. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared Monday that Godwin is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season with an MCL sprain.

Chris Godwin stats (2021): 98 receptions, 1,103 receiving yards and five touchdowns

Tampa Bay will likely place him on short-term injured reserve, automatically ruling him out for the final three games on the schedule. But with the Buccaneers expected to make the playoffs, there would be a possibility that he is cleared to return for an NFC Wild Card Game matchup at Raymond James Stadium.

With Mike Evans (hamstring) also likely sidelined for Week 16, the Buccaneers will happily welcome Antonio Brown back. He will be Tom Brady‘s go-to receiver, with Tyler Johnson stepping in as the No. 2 option until Evans returns.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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